US4780861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control system for filling beverage containers
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
•
Filing: 1987-02-09
•
Granted: 1988-10-25
•
Expires: 2007-02-09
Abstract
Abstract An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Stembridge
- 👤 James C. Sturrock
- 👤 W. Frank Stembridge, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:23
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/12; B67D1/1202; B67D1/1234; B67D1/1238; G; G01; G01F; G01F23/00; G01F23/22; G01F23/28; G01F23/296; G01N; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A transducer assembly for use in the ultrasonic automatic filling of a container with a beverage comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an ultrasonic transmitter crystal having a first lens connected to its lower surface for both coupling the transmitter crystal to air and being lens shaped for producing a shaped beam of ultrasonic energy from said transmitter crystal; (c) a separate ultrasonic receiver crystal having a second lens connected to its lower surface for both coupling the receiver crystal to air and being lens shaped for providing that the receiver crystal will receive a beam of ultrasonic energy from a predetermined area; (d) said transmitter crystal and first lens being located within but not touching a first non-ferrous metal tube; (e) said receiver crystal and second lens being located within but not touching a second non-ferrous metal tube; (f) said first and second metal tubes being located within said housing; and (g) polyurethane foam substantially filling the remaining space within said housing and within said tubes and holding said tubes and said crystals in place therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A transducer assembly for use in the ultrasonic automatic filling of a container with a beverage comprising: (a) a housing; (b) an ultrasonic transmitter crystal having a first lens connected to its lower surface for both coupling the transmitter crystal to air and being lens shaped for producing a shaped beam of ultrasonic energy from said transmitter crystal; (c) a separate ultrasonic receiver crystal having a second lens connected to its lower surface for both coupling the receiver crystal to air and being lens shaped for providing that the receiver crystal will receive a beam of ultrasonic energy from a predetermined area; (d) said transmitter crystal and first lens being located within but not touching a first non-ferrous metal tube; (e) said receiver crystal and second lens being located within but not touching a second non-ferrous metal tube; (f) said first and second metal tubes being located within said housing; and (g) polyurethane foam substantially filling the remaining space within said housing and within said tubes and holding said tubes and said crystals in place therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 including first and second electrical wires extending from the top of said assembly out of said foam, said first wire including first and second leads each being connected to a metal plating on opposite surfaces of said transmitter crystal and a third lead connected to said first metal tube, said second wire including first and second leads each being connected to a metal plating on opposite surfaces of said receiver crystal and a third wire connected to said second tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said lens is shaped to produce a beam having a footprint at twelve inclhes that is about three fourths of an inch wide and about two and one-half inches long.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said crystals are ceramic crystals made of one of PZT-4 or PZT-5a material and said lenses are made of one of ABS or acrylic plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said lenses is glued to the respective one of said crystals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said crystals and lenses are circular discs about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 including ultrasonic energy absorbing walls extending downwardly below said transmitter crystal to absorb ultrasonic energy transmitted toward said walls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said crystals is recessed into a cavity in a lower surface of said foam.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-25 | 1992-04-25 | 1992-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-25 | 1996-04-25 | 1996-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-25 | 2000-04-25 | 2000-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |